Kwa-Thema Clinic to investigate mother’s case
The distraught mother believes her son would still be alive had she received medical attention in time.
Kwa-Thema – Members of civil society took to the streets to voice their grievances about poor services offered by officials at the Kwa-Thema Main Clinic on Friday.
This was also to support grieving mother Gugu Baker, who lost her son four weeks ago.
Baker’s story was featured in the African Reporter’s February 18 edition and detailed how she was turned away from the clinic and gave birth at her home. The baby was stillborn.
The 43-year-old was called to the clinic by management to hear her side of events on that fateful Friday morning.
Gugu said during the meeting, she was informed the investigations will take 60 days to conclude.
“They promised to offer my family counselling and the support we need to overcome the trauma.
“All I want is for the nurse to be held accountable for her actions, so no patient goes through the same trauma I did,” she explained.
Also read: Mother forced to give birth in her bathroom
On February 12, the heavily pregnant mother of three left her home in labour and arrived at the Kwa-Thema Main Clinic, hoping to give birth.
The nurse in charge, however, turned her away, saying she wasn’t in labour but had a urinary tract infection.
When she tried explaining she felt like she was in labour, the nurse told her only God knows when the baby will be born.
She was forced to give birth in her bathroom 15 minutes after being turned away from the clinic.
The distraught mother believes her son would still be alive had she received medical attention in time.
“When the nurse checked, his heartbeat was healthy and he was moving as expected.
“The delay in the delivery killed my child. I want those responsible to be held accountable,” she explained.
Concerned resident Zanele Nyakale said they will not rest until justice for Baker and other women who lost their babies at the hands of careless nurses is served.
“These are our facilities; we will not turn a blind eye while patients are treated as if they don’t deserve the services.
“We are going to give the time they need to conclude their investigations. If we are not happy with the findings, we will escalate the matter accordingly,” she added.
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